I. General Information:

TechnoServe, Inc. (www.technoserve.org) is an international nonprofit development organization founded in 1968. We work with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries. We are a nonprofit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital and markets. Our work is rooted in the idea that hardworking people can generate income, jobs and wealth for their families and communities. With more than four decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives. 

III. Position Description

The position is responsible for the understanding of TNS’s work by critical audiences: donors, the public, some government stakeholders, prospective employees and TNS staff. The role will do this by designing and agreeing with the Ethiopia SMT on critical messages that need to be communicated to different audiences and then positioning TNS’s work through mainstream media, multimedia and social media platforms.

This will require understanding our work with various audiences, translating our strategy and programs into powerful copy and stories that drive desired action. The job holder will use innovative methods and new communication technologies to deliver a multimedia strategy that communicates TechnoServe work and gives beneficiaries a voice.  In collaboration with the Country Director, the job holder will provide leadership and guidance on implementation of communication strategies and initiatives within the country projects. The job holder will work closely with the management team, TechnoServe staff, and other stakeholders. S/he will be responsible for timely and effective implementation of projects and communication activities.

This role will focus up to 80% on Coffee programs and the balance on other programs and internal communications.

IV. Duties & Responsibilities

1. Traveling around Ethiopia, capturing stories and relaying them to TNS channels (your work

2.Developing some of those stories into a format that can help John talk to our biggest individual donors and solicit their support (John)

3.Design a model of data collection that minimizes the work of program staff but allows us to mass-produce stories that could be packaged for “exclusive sponsorship of individual farmers” (my team’s idea)

4.Develop a local media strategy to target influential donor/gov bodies with key messages about our work to protect TNS from regulatory risk as well as win their support

● In collaboration with Program Managers, determine the communications needs of the projects and develop project -based plans and budget to provide communication support.

● Design and implement communication activities, including high- quality communications materials that result in broad, measurable visibility of the project.

●Build a local media strategy and sustain relationships with members of the press and other professional communication networks.

● Develop system for tracking and measuring communications impact

●In collaboration with the Country Director, respond in a timely fashion to routine enquiries from press.

●Monitoring press stories relating to TechnoServe Ethiopia and its brand,  and maximizing opportunities for positive PR and playing down negative PR.

● Travel to project sites to collect communications content: interviewing clients and other stakeholders and taking photos and videos

●Work with colleagues to collect regular updates and data from programs and participants

●Design and oversee production of the projects publications, including print, CD and web materials in the form of articles, reports, briefs (policy), multimedia products, posters, and information packets;

● Interview beneficiaries using TechnoServe’s checklist and write articles on their successes following the style of TechnoServe’s main blog

● Write short 150-300 word pieces introducing larger donors to longer content on the website

● Create a system to collect stories using Google Suite

●Maintaining and updating information on the organization’s knowledge hub my.tns

● Provide communication/information advice and assistance for the projects, either by doing the work required or by contracting the work to consultants;

●Edit, proof read and summarize project documents, and write articles about TechnoServe as requested;

● Liaise with local printers and publications’ specialists (e.g., graphics and public awareness staff) for producing/publishing/printing project materials.

● Maintain publications inventory and keep the publications archives and website pages up to date.

● Coordinate coverage of events for both program and staff activities

● Keep up to date about current trends in research communication and methods and advise the project management of ways to improve communications cost-effectively.

● Understand, respect and promote TechnoServe’s values, vision, and strategy in the implementation of assigned duties.

Administrative Support to Country Director

●  Undertake local research, as required

● Prepare communications materials to share at meetings

●Help compile marketing and communication case studies and story lines

● Work with the Admin department on organizing internal communications events like staff meetings, events, announcements, sharing sessions

● Working with Program teams, develop intellectual property into thought pieces that can be shared with donors and stakeholders to show the strength of TNS thought leadership & program impact

●Contribute Communications content to program development efforts

Job Requirements

● A Bachelor’s degree in journalism, advertising, communications or similar subject area.

●Minimum 5 years’ experience in writing, editing, video production, design, web work database management, web content management, blogging and new media tools. 

●Experience in supporting communications and/or media relations in the area of agricultural/entrepreneurial research for development is an added advantage.

●Ability to read, understand and assimilate complex technical information to produce clear, well-written summaries.

●Ability to present and package information into various formats to suit specialist and non-specialist audiences.

●Proficient in Microsoft Office packages.

●Basic knowledge of and skills in desktop publishing, HTML, photography and photo editing.

●Demonstrated ability to work independently and well within teams.

●Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills a must;

●Ability to generate innovative solutions in work situations;

●Fluency in English and Amharic required;

VI. SUCCESS FACTORS:

Competency is a combination of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) directly related to successful performance on the job.

Core Competencies include:

●    Integrity and honesty: Is widely trusted; seen as a direct, truthful individual; presents truthful information in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; does not misrepresent himself or herself for personal gain.

●    Team Work/ Relationships:  Works co-operatively and flexibly with other members of the team with a full understanding of the role to be played as a team member and/or leader, to achieve a common goal.  Ability to build and maintain effective relationships and networks.

●    Learning attitude:  Proactively takes advantage of opportunities to learn. Actively identifies new areas for learning; applies and shares new knowledge and skill appropriately.

●    Diversity/Inclusiveness:  Demonstrates an understanding and appreciation for diversity and supports diversity efforts. Interacts effectively with and inclusively with people of all races, cultures, ethnicities, backgrounds, religions, ages, and genders.

●    Communication:  Expresses ideas effectively in individual and group situations. Listens effectively; shares information, ideas and arguments; adjusts terminology, language and communication modes to the needs of the audience; ensures accurate understanding; acts in a way that facilitates open exchange of ideas and information; uses appropriate non-verbal communication.

●    Decision making/Problem Solving:  Is able to analyze situations, diagnose problems, identify the key issues, establish and evaluate alternative courses of action and produce a logical, practical and acceptable solution.  Is able to make effective decisions on a day-to-day basis, taking ownership of decisions, demonstrating sound judgement in escalating issues where necessary.

●    Results Oriented/ High Quality Deliverables:  Stays focused on the efforts necessary to achieve quality results consistent with programmatic or departmental goals. Demonstrates the ability to achieve effective results; works persistently to overcome obstacles to goal achievement. Accomplishes tasks by considering all areas involved, no matter how small; showing concern for all aspects of the job; accurately checking processes and tasks.

●    Planning & Time Management:  Establishes a course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a specific goal. Effectively plans, schedules, prioritizes and controls activities; identifies, integrates and orchestrates resources (people, material, information, budget, and/or time) to accomplish goals. Prioritizes work according to the program or department’s goals, not just own job responsibilities; manages own time effectively.

●    Business Acumen:  The ability to use information, ask the right questions and take decisions that make an impact on the overall business performance.

Job Specific/Technical Competencies include:

●    Financial & Resource Management: The ability to estimate, justify, and manage appropriate funding levels to support goal accomplishment. Managing Resources is about understanding human, financial, and operational resource issues to make decisions aimed at building and planning efficient project workflows, and at improving overall organizational performance.

●    Computer Literacy: Demonstrates knowledge and ability to use specific computer programs or applications for own functional area. Has the ability to improve performance by integrating new and existing technology into the workplace.

●    Compliance & Governance: Compliance with and knowledge of company policies, applicable legislation, grant requirements, donor contracts, the local labor code and tax laws.

●    Internal Client Focus: Client Focus is based on the ability to understand the client’s needs and concerns in the short to long-term and to provide sound recommendations and/or solutions.

How to Apply

Our hiring process

Qualified and interested applicants should click here to apply and submit a cover letter resume as a single document (either Word or PDF) by October 31, 2022. Applications will be reviewed and considered as received/on a rolling basis. Please identify the position for which you are applying in the subject line. Only applicants meeting minimum qualifications will be contacted. Please note that we are not accepting CVs that are not sent through the indicated link.

TECHNOSERVE ENCOURAGES DIVERSITY AT ALL LEVELS AND ACROSS ALL FACETS OF OUR ORGANIZATION. WITH THIS COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, WE ARE PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DO NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF GENDER, RACE, COLOR, ETHNICITY, RELIGION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, AGE, DISABILITY, AND ALL OTHER PROTECTED CLASSES.

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